Thomas Edison State University (TESU) announced the appointment of Jeff Harmon as its new provost. Harmon, who currently serves as the university’s vice provost for Strategic Initiatives and Institutional Effectiveness, will succeed Cynthia Baum, who is retiring.
The appointment follows a competitive national search and comes at a pivotal moment for the institution, which is currently experiencing sustained enrollment growth and an expanding statewide presence.
Since joining TESU in 2017, Harmon has built a robust track record of leadership across critical institutional areas, including accreditation, academic partnerships, Credit for Prior Learning, learning assessment, and program review. He also served as the interim dean of the Heavin School of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Education from 2024 to 2026.
One of Harmon’s most notable achievements is leading TESU’s collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development on the statewide Apprenticeship Degree Initiative. This pioneering, three-year, $5 million effort connects traditional workforce training directly with college degrees, expanding educational pathways for apprentices throughout New Jersey.
TESU President Merodie Hancock emphasized that Harmon’s visionary leadership aligns perfectly with the university’s forward momentum.
“Dr. Harmon has demonstrated an exceptional ability to connect academic programming and innovation with workforce and student success initiatives to directly advance the mission of the University,” Hancock said. “As TESU continues to grow and meet the dynamic needs of our students, his experience and leadership will be essential in ensuring we embrace the changing workforce, maintain academic excellence and deepen our engagement across the state and beyond.”
In his new role as provost, Harmon will build upon the foundation of academic innovation and institutional advancement established during Baum’s tenure, while steering the university toward deeper regional and national impact.
“I am honored to serve as provost at such an important moment in TESU’s history,” Harmon said. “I look forward to continuing our work to strengthen academic quality, expand partnerships and create new opportunities that support student achievement and the evolving needs of New Jersey’s workforce.”
